When Scout says that she and Jem are "parting company" Harper Lee is attempting to break the relationship between the Finch siblings. "It was then that Jem and I first began to part company." (Lee 75). In this quote, the author was trying to show the differences between the two kids. Ever since the beginning of the Summer Jem has alligned with Dill against Scout. This caused Scout to feel ignored and excluded by her peers and as a result, she started to befriend the neighbor Ms. Maudie. The primary reason that Dill and Jem excluded Scout was because of their different opinions about Boo Radley. Scout didn't want to play the Radley game because she was afraid of the Radley family and of the punishment she would recieve from Atticus should he find out about the game. On the other hand, Jem wanted to expore the mystery of the Radley history. This caused Scout to bother Jem about playing the Radley game, "My nagging got the better of Jem eventually, as I knew it would, and to my relief we slowed down the game for a while" (Lee 55). After constantly fighting whether Scout is going to further explore the Radley house, it started to get on Jem's nerves. "I declare to the Lord your gettin' more like a girl every day!"(Lee 69). The differences between genders also plays a big role in the parting of the Finch kids. With Scout maturing, she will change her opinions and thoughts to be increaslingly similar to those of a girl. When Scout was younger she had more of a boy's personalitity due to the fact that she spent so much time being around Jem. Now that Scout is more independent, the two siblings will begin to "part company".
Will Atticus notice the changes of Scout and Jem's relationship and try to intervene? How will Jem respond to Scout's girlish behavior? Will Jem continue to explore the Radley house without Dill and Scout? How does Scout and Jem's "parting company" affect how Scout will behave in school with her peers?
I don't think that the primary reason that Jem and Dill excluded Scout was because of their different opinions about Boo Radley. I think it's that Scout is maturing and becoming more feminine and not wanting to be around boys so much( like you said) and wanting a girl friend to hangout with. I disagree that Jem wanted to explore the mystery of the Radley family, I think that he was sort of making fun of them, especially since they played outside so that everyone can see. Why do you think that Jem and Dill are so involved and serious about the Boo Radley game?
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThese are all points that I agree with. But I disagree with is the primary reason of Jem and Scout “parting company.” I believe the primary reason there is a disconnect between Scout and Jem is because of their different sex. The two main themes Harper Lee is exploring in the story is racism "Calpurnia says that Nigger Talk." (Lee 49) and sexism, "Jem was scowling triumphantly, I swear, Scout, sometimes you act so much like a girl it's mortifying." (Lee 50). In the 1930's there was sexual discrimination and Harper Lee uses the two siblings as a perfect example. Dill also plays a role in Scout and Jem's "parting of company", as you stated, because he is another male figure around to reinforce that Scout acts like a girl. Scout and Jem's relationship appeared to be a close bond towards the beginning of the story. As Scout begins to grow, so does the disconnect between the two siblings.
ReplyDelete